Lexical Definition

‎מָעַל‎ mâʻal (maw-al') be unfaithful ^H:V
a primitive root

transgress, (commit, do a) trespass(-ing).

• properly, to cover up
• used only figuratively, to act covertly, i.e. treacherously

1) to act unfaithfully, act treacherously, transgress, commit a trespass
1a) (Qal) to act unfaithfully or treacherously
1a1) against man
1a2) against God
1a3) against devoted thing
1a4) against husband

See Greek: ἀδικέω · ἀθετέω · ἁμαρτάνω · ἀπειθέω · ἀφίστημι · λανθάνω · παραβαίνω · παραπίπτω · πλανάω

Brown-Driver-Briggs

‎מָעַל‎ verb act unfaithfully, treacherously, a priestly word (P Ezra, Chronicles), chiefly late (Late Hebrew id., act unfaithfully; Arabic whisper, backbite, perfidy, fraud); —

Qal Perfect 3 masculine singular ‎מָעַל‎ Josh 22:20 + 4 t.; 3 feminine singular ‎מָֽעֲלָה‎ Lev 5:21*; Num 5:12 + 13 t. Perfect; Imperfect ‎יִמְעַל‎ Prov 16:10; 2Chr 26:16 3 feminine singular ‎תִּמְעֹל‎ Lev 5:15; Num 5:27 3 masculine plural ‎יִמְעֲלוּ‎ Josh 7:1, ‎וַיִּמְעֲלוּ‎ 1Chr 5:25 2 masculine plural ‎תִּמְעָ֑לוּ‎ Neh 1:8 Infinitive construct ‎לִמְעֹל‎, so read for HCT ‎למסר‎ Num 31:16 Thes Di; — act unfaithfully, treacherously, usually

1. ‎מָעַל מַ֫עַל‎:
a. absolute ‎בַּחֵרֶם‎ in the matter of the devoted thing (the sin of Achan) Josh 7:1 (JE), Josh 22:20 (P), compare Lev 5:15 (P), 2Chr 36:14; Ezek 14:13; Ezek 15:8; Ezek 18:24.
b. wife against (‎בְּ‎) husband Num 5:12; Num 5:27 (P; marital infidelity).
c. elsewhere against (‎בְּ‎) God, Lev 26:40 (H), Lev 5:21*; Num 5:6; Num 31:16 (?) Josh 22:16; Josh 22:31 (all P), 1Chr 10:13; 1Chr 28:19; Ezek 17:20; Ezek 20:27; Ezek 39:26; Dan 9:7.

2. usage without ‎מַעַל‎ (only late):
a. ‎במשׁפט לא ימעל פיו‎ Prov 16:10 let not his (the king's) mouth act treacherously against justice (RV in judgment).
b. elsewhere against God, with ‎בְּ‎, Deut 32:51 (P), 1Chr 5:25; 1Chr 12:2; 1Chr 26:22; 1Chr 30:7; without ‎בְּ‎, 2Chr 26:18; 2Chr 29:6; Ezra 10:10; Neh 1:8 ‎בַּחֵרֶם‎ 1Chr 2:7.

Brown-Driver-Briggs References